The cross-party Justice Committee, chaired by Andy Slaughter MP, will examine the current state of the legal services market, the impact of litigants in person, the potential for technology to support access to justice and scope for new ways of funding. Written submissions are invited by 30 September, including on a possible ‘levy’.
The idea of asking high-earning lawyers to contribute to an access to justice fund has previously been floated by former Lord Chancellors Michael Gove and Alex Chalk.
The committee will also look at the impact of the Legal Aid Agency cyber-attack, uncovered in April, on lawyers and clients, and at the continuing impact of LASPO (Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012).
Slaughter said: ‘Given the persistent problem of legal aid deserts leaving the sector close to crisis, the committee will assess how the current system could be improved… with suitably remunerated legal practice.’
